UGA Beat Writer

The 16 1/2 points Georgia is favored by over Vanderbilt is one indication that the perceived gap between the programs still remains rather large. But coach Mark Richt is talking up the state of the Commodores program under second-year coach James Franklin.

“I don’t think there’s any doubt that they’re the most talented Vanderbilt team these last couple of years that we’ve played in a while,” Richt said. “Coach Franklin’s really got them revved up and ready to go. They’ve got a lot of belief. They’re playing to win and they’re doing a good job of it I think.”

They might be playing to win, but the Commodores are 1-2, 0-1 in the SEC, losing to a top-10 South Carolina team, dropping a game at Northwestern and routing FCS program Presbyterian.

“I think some of it is attitude,” Richt said. “I think they’re a faster team, I think they’re a stronger team. I think they’ve got really good athleticism. When you watch the film, they’re playing as hard and fast as physical as anybody. They’re schemes are outstanding. It’s not like they’re doing something that nobody else is doing, but what they do, they do very well. They believe in it. You can see that. Coach Franklin’s not afraid to take calculated risks to put his team in position to win games. I think it’s paying off.”

Quick hits

Asked if there was any new update on offensive lineman Kolton Houston, coach Mark Richt said: “Still the same. Yeah, still the same.” The NCAA has ruled Houston ineligible for continuing to test positive for a banned substance. …Offensive lineman Watts Dantzler (ankle), outside linebacker Josh Dawson (shoulder), outside linebacker James DeLoach (shoulder) and receiver Rantavious Wooten (knee) were limited in practice. … Franklin said Wednesday morning that coaches had yet to make a decision on whether Austyn Carta-Samuels or Jordan Rodgers would start at quarterback Saturday.